Extension step-ladder.



A. BUTCHER.

EXTENSION STEP LADDER.

APPLICATION man rmzs. me.

Patented J my 17, 1917.

2 SHEETS-SH EET 1.

Lwmw.

-A. BUTCHER.

EXTENSION STE-P LADDER.

APPLICATION FILED [15.29, 1916,

Psptented July 17, 1917.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

H IWIHI IE1 w opinion .AMAnTDUS BUTCHER, or ALBANY," oaneon.

EXTENSION STEP-LADDER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed February 29, 1916. Serial No. 81,205.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, AMANDUS BUTCHER, a citizen of the United States, residin at Albany, in the county of Linn and tate of Oregon, have invented new and useful Improvements in Extension Step-Ladders, of whichthe following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in.

the upper step of the main section with a fixed portion and a relatively movable por tion, the latter being adapted for use when the auxiliary section of the ladder is dispensed with, and serving to prevent collapse ing of the ladder should one ofthe braces thereof be broken.

With these and other objects in view,

which will appear as the nature of the invention is better understood from the following description, the invention resides in the construction, combination and arrangement of parts as outlined in the appended claims.

In the drawings forming part of this specification, like numerals of reference indicate similar parts in the several views and wherein Figure 1 is a front elevation of the device showing the auxiliary section in extended position.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation thereof.

Fig. 3 is a View of the ladder folded.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view on line 4- 1 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged detail sectional view of the ladder with the auxiliary section removed.

Referrin more particularly to the drawings A indlcates a ladder of the usual well known construction, including a main section 10 and a prop 11 therefor. The prop may be pivotally associated with the main section in any suitable manner, preferably by means of the spaced parallel strips 12, which latter are terminally secured to the opposite sides of the ladder and extend an appreciable distance toward the rear thereof. The strips 12 have their corresponding ends offset inwardly as at 13, and connected by means of a brace rod 14, thelatter serving as a pivot for the prop 11. By reason of this construction the prop 11 is spaced from the main section 10 a sufficient distance to accommodatethe slidable section 15, whichis slidably mounted between the said parts as shown. It will now be noted that by the Patented July 1"], 191?.

provision of the offset portions 13 of the strips. 12, a flange 16 is provided, which latter cooperates with the main body portion of the strips12 and the main section 10 to guide the auxiliary section in its adjustment. The auxiliary. section is further guided inits adjustment by a substantially ll-shaped yoke member 17 having its terminals secured in any suitable manner to the sideportions of the main section 10 at a point in its length.

The upper step of the main section 10 consists of a fixed portion 18 and hinged step 19. Secured to the outer longitudinal edges of the prop 11 are spaced blocks 20, each of which has secured thereto one leaf 21 of a hinge, the cooperating leaf 22 being 19. As shown in Fig. 5 the hinged step 19 is adapted to rest upon the blocks 20 and the prop 11 in operative position, and provides with the fixed portion 18 a relatively broad step. By reason of the specific disposition of the hinged step 19 with respect to the prop 11, coupled with the fact that the adjacent edges of the fixed portion 18 and the hinged step 19 are correspondingly beveled, the prop is held from slipping or moving away from the main section 10 should for any reason one of the braces for the ladder become broken. These tie braces may be of any suitable construction, and as herein shown consist of a pair of pivotally connected fiat strips of metal, which are terminally connected with the main section 10 and the prop 11 respectively. One of the strips has a tongue 23 formed thereon for engagement with the upper edge of theadjacent strip to hold these parts in alinement when the prop 11 is extended to a position for use.

It is t be underst d ho e er t at hen the hinged step 19 of the step is in the po- 7 sition shown 1n Fig. 5, the auxiliary section 15 is dispensed with, and when use of the latteris desired, the hinged step 19 is swung upon its hinge to an inoperative position against the prop 11 and blocks 20 as shown. In practice when use of the auxiliary section is desired, the latter is eleof the auxiliary section thereby clamping the ladder between the prop 11 and the fixed portion 18 of the uppermost step of the main portion-10. The steps of both the main see- I tion 10 and the auxiliary section 15 are equidistantlyspaced and similarly inclined so as to lie inthe same horizontalplane irrespective'of theadjusted position of the auxiliary section15. It is tobe understood that the v clamping of the auxiliary section is automatic, thereby permitting the parts to be expeditiously adjusted for use. It will be I further noted that by reason of the construction hereinabove described, use of all metal fastenings such as hooks, dogs and the like essential in the construction of laddersnow in use are wholly dispensed with, and the vparts more efiectively held in adjusted position, thereby insuring safety in the use of a i the device. r

His believed that from the foregoing de-' scription the nature and advantages of the :invention will be readily apparent without requiring a' more extended explanation and I therefore the same has been omitted. However I desire to have it understood that what is herein shown and described is merely illustrative of one embodiment of the invention, to which I do not limit myself, as various changes in the construction, combination and arrangement of parts may be resorted to when desired as fall within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is 1. A step ladder comprising a main section, a swingingly mounted prop therefor, an auxiliary extensible section mounted for sliding adjustment between the main section and said prop, said extensible section being adjustable when the main section and prop are arranged in parallelism, and the upper extremity of said prop engaging beneath one of the steps of the extensible section, when the prop is extended to hold the extensible section in its adjusted positielr,

2. A step ladder comprising a main seetion, a swingingly mounted prop therefor, an auxiliary extensible section slidably fitted between the main section and said prop, the upper end of said prop engaging beneath the step of the auxiliary section to support the ladder in adjusted position, and the steps of said auxiliary section being disposed to alinc' 'Wlllll the steps of the mam sect on when so adjusted.

3. A step ladder comprising a main see-' tion,'a pivotally mounted prop therefor, a

hinged step carried by the prop and adapted to aline with the uppermost step of the main section when in use, an auxiliaryextensible section slidably fitted between the main sec- .tion and said prop, said hinged step being adapted to fold'outwardly against the pro when the auxiliary extension is employe and the upper extremity of said prop engaging beneath the step of the auxiliary section tohold'the latter fixed in its adjusted position.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

AMANDUS BUTCHER.

Witnesses:

M. G. REED, DAN JOHNSTON.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,'

, 1 Washingtoml). 0. 

